Unitary body float

ABSTRACT

A single float of relatively rigid, buoyant material which is of a length corresponding approximately to the combined lengths of a torso and legs of a user&#39;&#39;s body has a head support projecting longitudinally from one end thereof, leg supports projecting laterally from the other end thereof, and a strap for holding the mid-section of the user to the underside of the float. The float is also preferably provided with buoyant, swayed-back, stabilizing portions projecting from opposite sides to oppose capsizing of the float.

it Stts Mansereau UNIITARY BODY FLOAT [76] Inventor: Raymond C. Dansereau, 130 58th Ave., St. Petersburg Beach, Fla. 33706 22 Filed: Apr. 3, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 457,446

[52] Cl. 9/3111; 114/39; 114/123; 115/22.3 [51] Im. (11. 363C 9/02 [58] Field of Search 9/311, 312, 313, 329, 333, 9/336, 347, 349; 114/39, 123; 115/22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 70; 272/1 B, 71

g [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,075,074 10/1913 Uchtmann ll5/22.3 -1,625,579 4/1927 Walters 114/39 6/1962 Jantzen 9/312 11/1970 Beckner 114/123 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant ExaminerCharles E. Frankfort Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert Henderson [57] ABSTRACT A single float of relatively rigid, buoyant material which is of a length corresponding approximately to the combined lengths of a torso and legs of a users body has a head support projecting longitudinally from one end thereof, leg supports projecting laterally from the other end thereof, and a strap for holding the mid-section of the user to the underside of the float. The float is also preferably provided with buoyant, swayed-back, stabilizing portions projecting from opposite sides to oppose capsizing of the float.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 2 I975 T -W 1:? N mfg J M .T g M UNITARY BODY FLOAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many efforts have hitherto been put forth to provide body floats to be used by persons for various purposes, e.g, as life preservers, swim-aid or instruction devices, or for recreational purposes.

Some such devices, as absolute essentials, have had one or more straps for attaching a float or floats to different parts of a users body, or attaching loops positioned between a userss legs, or pockets or special deformations for receiving the neck, head, arms, or feet of the user.

In the field of recreational uses, prior patents have suggested sail propulsion of such body floats, but have lacked adequate anti-capsizing means or have called for multiple floats rather than a single float.

One of the more recent developments in body floats is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,181 dated Nov. 13, 1973. The arrangement shown therein involves the use of three separate floats; and where a sail is em ployed as therein suggested, the user suitably moves his arms and hands to oppose capsizing.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The principal object is the provision of a single body float with head rest and leg rest means aiding in maintaining a proper association of the float with the users body.

Another important object is the combining of sail means with a single float having adequate, integral means for preventing capsizingv Another important object is the provision of such head supporting means, associated with the float, as to enable the user easily to view the water surface area toward which the float is traveling.

Other important objects will appear from the following description of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a plan view of a body float device according to a preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side clevational view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The illustrated body float device comprises chiefly a float of relatively rigid. multicellular, buoyant material such as, for example, polystyrene, head supporting means 12 projecting from the back end of the float, and laterally extending leg supporting means 14 located adjacent to the floatss front end.

The float 10 is illustrated as being elongate; broadest at its aft section 100 and narrowest at its forward section I012, these two sections tapering from the aft end of the float to the latters prow 10c which is rounded from its top surface to its bottom surface as at 10d to minimize water resistance to forward motion of the device.

The float 10 is of substantially uniform thickness throughout its length and width. Integral with the float 10 are similar, laterally projecting, stabilizing members 16 which serve as anti-capsizing means, particularly when the float is used with a sail as hereinafter explained.

The stabilizing members 16 preferably have their top surfaces at the same plane as the top surface as the remainder of the float. To minimize water resistance during forward movement of the device, the stabilizing members are in a swayed back form as shown in FIG. 1, said members are thinner than the remainder of the float with their undersides at a higher plane than the bottom of the float, and the leading edges of the stabilizing members are rounded downwardly and rearwardly as shown at 16a in FIG. 2.

The illustrated float 10 is provided with a relatively rigid reinforcing frame 18 fixed thereto and, preferably, embedded therein. This frame may be formed of tubing of very light material, e.g., aluminum, which may be circular, square, or of other suitable shape in cross section. The principal member of the reinforcing frame 18 is a trunk 18a which extends throughout the greater part of the floats length. The reinforcing frame 18 also includes rigidly integral reinforcing arms 18b which project laterally of the frames trunk, throughout the greater part of the lengths of the stabilizing members 16.

The head supporting means 12 comprise a relatively rigid, approximately rectangular frame having similar side members 12a, a rear, transverse member 1212, a forwardly disposed transverse member 12c, and a transverse bracing and positioning member 12d. Adjacent to the rear member 121) and spanning between the two side members 1211 is a head rest l2e, preferably of some soft material as, for example, tensioned canvas.

The transverse member 120 extends through the float 10a and, preferably, through a rear end portion of the reinforcing frames trunk 180 thus being capable of serving as a pivot member enabling the entire head supporting means 12 to be pivotally adjusted upwardly if desired. The positioning member 12d overlies the aft end of the float l0 and serves to hold the head supporting means 12 at its height indicated in FIG. 2. Although the member 12:! may be rigidly associated the the head supporting means 12 as a part thereof, as illustrated, it may nevertheless be so separably or adjustably associated therewith as to be readily adjustable or removable to enable the means 12 to be pivoted forwardly, either over or under the float 10, to somewhat reduce the overall length of the device for facility in transporting it to and from the body of water whereon it is to be used.

The leg supporting means 14 comprise rigid bars 14a projecting horizontally from opposite sides of the reinforcing frames trunk 18a adjacent to the latters forward end and from the floats forward section 1012.

THE MANNER OF USING THE DEVICE WITHOUT A SAIL As thus far detailed, the disclosed device lacks any included propulsion means, and it may be utilized in that limited condition for recreational or other suitable purposes. As thus used, the users head rests upon the head rest 120, his neck and the upper part of his chest extend downwardly through an open area 20 circumscribed by the various members of the head supporting means 12, his midsection lies directly underneath the floats aft section 1011, and his legs extend upwardly and forwardly of the stabilizing members 16, straddling the floats forward section 10/; and being restfully held in that position by resting at or near his heels, upon the supporting bars 140.

Although the buoyancy of the users body tends to maintain its relation to the float as set forth in the next preceding paragraph hereof, a belt 22, extending through a transverse slot 24 formed in the float's aft section a, may be buckled about the users midsection to hold him securely to the float.

When the device is used without any included propulsion means as just described, the user may propel himself and the float and may steer by the use of his arms and hands much as he would do if he were independently swimming while on his back.

The fact that the head supporting frame is freely pivotable upwardly facilitates the users disposition of his body as shown in FIG. 2. With said head supporting frame pivoted fully upwardly, the user, standing in the water at the back end of the float 10 may easily first pivot that frame over his head and downwardly; then, with his head on the head rest12e, he can easily swing his legs upwardly and rest them upon the supporting bars 14a.

It may be noted that, when the user is positioned as in FIG. 2, his head is sufficiently elevated that he may see beyond the floats prow 100 when the float is being propelled forwardly; thus being able to avoid collision with other objects. Also, with some advantage for accommodating the users body, the aft end of the float 10 may be curved forwardly as at 26 in FIG. 1, and may be beveled downwardly and forwardly as at 28 in FIG. 2.

THE DEVICE IS WELL SUITED FOR USE WITH A SAIL Beyond what has already been detailed herein, the body float of this invention may include propulsion means in the form of a sail 30, suitably carried upon a mast 32 seated at its lower end in a socket 34 formed in an enlargement 36 of the forward end of the reinforcing frametrunk frames 21. A rope or cord 38, conl. A unitary body float device comprising a single, elongate, relatively flat, rigid, float member of a length approximating the combined lengths of a users legs and torso, a head support connected to the float member adjacent to the latters aft end and extending rearwardly and approximately coplanarly therefrom, rigid, leg supporting members extending laterally from the float member adjacent to the latters forward end. a pair of rigid side members connecting opposite sides of said head support to opposite sides of a rear area of said float member and defining, between said side members and between said head support and said float member, an open area at the rear end of the float member for accommodating therein the users neck and adjacent chest portions, a belt extending partially about said float member in position to engage the back of the users body to hold said body close to the underside of the float member toward the latters rearward end and to facilitate the raising and resting of the users feet upon said leg supporting members, and said float members forward section being sufficiently narrow to permit straddling thereof by the users legs.

2. A unitary body float device according to claim 1, said float member including an integral pair of oppositely disposed, laterally extending stabilizing members, extending approximately coplanarly with said float member and disposed forwardly of said belt; and said float member, further, including a reinforcing frame embedded therein; said reinforcing frame including an elongate trunk extending longitudinally throughout the greater part of the length of said float member, and including also rigid arms, rigidly connected to said trunk and extending laterally throughout the greater part of the lateral dimension of each of said stabilizing members; whereby said reinforcing frames trunk and arms materially reinforce the float member and its said stabilizing members.

3. A unitary body float device according to claim 2, said stabilizing members being buoyant and also being swept back with their front edges rounded downwardly and rearwardly to minimize water resistance during forward movement of the device in the water. 

1. A unitary body float device comprising a single, elongate, relatively flat, rigid, float member of a length approximating the combined lengths of a user''s legs and torso, a head support connected to the float member adjacent to the latter''s aft end and extending rearwardly and approximately coplanarly therefrom, rigid, leg supporting members extending laterally from the float member adjacent to the latter''s forward end, a pair of rigid side members connecting opposite sides of said head support to opposite sides of a rear area of said float member and defining, between said side members and between said head support and said float member, an open area at the rear end of the float member for accommodating therein the user''s neck and adjacent chest portions, a belt extending partially about said float member in position to engage the back of the user''s body to hold said body close to the underside of the float member toward the latter''s rearward end and to facilitate the raising and resting of the user''s feet upon said leg supporting members, and said float member''s forward section being sufficiently narrow to permit straddling thereof by the user''s legs.
 2. A unitary body float device according to claim 1, said float member including an integral pair of oppositely disposed, laterally extending stabilizing members, extending approximately coplanarly with said float member and disposed forwardly of said belt; and said float member, further, including a reinforcing frame embedded therein; said reinforcing frame including an elongate trunk extending longitudinally throughout the greater part of the length of said float member, and including also rigid arms, rigidly connected to said trunk and extending laterally throughout the greater part of the lateral dimension of each of said stabilizing members; whereby said reinforcing frame''s trunk and arms materially reinforce the float member and its said stabilizing members.
 3. A unitary body float device according to claim 2, said stabilizing members being buoyant and also being swept back with their front edges rounded downwardly and rearwardly to minimize water resistance during forward movement of the device in the water. 